Hovland Rule: USGA changes U.S. Open policy for U.S. Amateur winners

The Viktor Hovland Rule is now in effect.

The USGA announced Monday morning that reigning U.S. Amateur and U.S. Women's Amateur champions will no longer need to stay amateur to retain their exemptions into the following year's U.S. Open and U.S. Women's Open.

“We believe this change gives our champions an important option as they choose whether and when to embark on their professional careers,” the USGA's John Bodenhamer said in a statement. “Given the significant purses awarded at the U.S. Open and U.S. Women’s Open, we realize how important it is for players to make the most appropriate decision for his or her career, and the positive impact it could have at the outset of their professional…